Article of hosiery



Dec. 30, 1952 J. K. HINCHMAN 2,623,374

ARTICLE 0F HOSIERY Filed June 25, 1951 2 SHEETS-SHEET l HTTO/WVEY Dec.30, 1952 J. K. HlNcl-IMAN 2,523,374

oF HosIERY Filed June 25, 1951 2 sHEETs--SHEET 2 T TURA/EY Patented Dec.30, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12,623,374 ARTICLE F HOSIERY Jens`Hin,clnmalt Columbus, Ohio, assignvr t9 interwoven 'Stocking Company,yNew Brunswick, "N271 la corporation of New Jersey Application June `25,1951i, HSerial No. `233,343 warms (G1Va- 1an The present inventionsrelates to knitted articles of footwear and particularly to socksntended for sport and ,zinformal wear.

Women who play golfer tennis, or who engage actively inothersports.`have found that, if they Wear the usualshort socks or anklets, the`calves of their Alegs become tanned While their ankles stay White,being coveredby the socks. ",1`heren sulting contrast between the tannedand untanned portions of the legs presents an unattractive appearance attimes when the legs are bare or when sheer stockings are Worn. Whilestocking feet are available which are intended to be worn inside theshoes and have no leg 0I ankle portion, these have been foundunsatisfactory for sportswear since the ,heel portions of such stockingfeet tend to Work down and become uncomfortable. An effort has been made.to overcome this tendency by stiiiening the heel portions of suchstocking feet but the stiiiening material renders the stocking feetuncomfortable and also interferes with laundering.

It is an object of the present invention to `overcome these objectionsand provide socks which cover only the portions of the `feet that areinside the shoes, leaving the ankles Well as the calves bare, and which,at the same time, resist the tendency of t-he heel portions to slip downdespite the activity incidental to sportswear. In accordance with theinvention, thesock comprises a sole portion, a toe portion and a heelportion having substantially the same height as the ,heel portions ofthe shoes with which the socks are to be worn and a heel tabwhichprojects upwardly from the back ofthe heel portion of the sock with afold line provided between the tab and the heel `portion vfor-,foldingthe Vtab down over the outside of the heel portion of the shoe. The tabis formed of heavier fabric than other pore tions of the sockinordertohavesuflicient weight or body to stay neatly in place and to prevent theheel portion of the sock from working down. Thus, in the preferred.embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, the tabs are` formed ofrib knit vfabric v while other portions of the sock are -io-rmed ofplainknitiabric. The line of transition -from plain fabric to rib`fabric provides aiold line whichfacilitates vfoldingthe tab down overthe outside of the heel portion of the shoe and cooperates with the tabin keeping the heel portionl of `lther sock -irom .slipping down..Heavier yarn canbelusedinltlietab togive it additional body and weight.Yarnchanges may also be made to providedemcorative effects in thetabportion.

The nature `and advantages of the invention will be more fully4underStQod from the following description of preferred embodiments `nf`the invention shown by Way of example in the accompanying drawings, linwhich:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a `knitted article in accordance withthe invention shown in position on the wearers foot with the heel tabprojecting upwardly before it has nbeen `folded dov/n.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View showing the heel tab folded `down over theoutside of the heel portion of the shoe.

Fig. 3l is a side elevation ci the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 withportions of the heel and. ofthe sock broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 4 is anenlarged `stitch diagram of a smail portion of the fabric atthe junction of the heel portion and the tab, the fabric being shownfrom the outside with the heel tab projecting upward- 1y, as shown inFig. l.

Figs. 5 and 6 are stitch .diagrams similar to Fig. 4 but showingmodifications.

Fig. '7 is a rear elevation showing a further modi-cation of the heeltab.

The knitted article of footwear shown in Figs. 1 to 4, which, forconvenience, is herein referred to Va-s a s-ock,'- comprises a footportion l2 having a toe portion i3, a heel portion le, a sole portionvI5 and sideportions I6 extending from the toe portion to the heelportion and instep portiony l1 that extends part `way from the toeportion to theheel portion, the remainder oi the top of the articlebeing open. IIhe height of the heel portion `I4 is substantially equalto the height of the heel portion of a shoe with which the soci: is tobe worn such as the shoe illustrated at' It in Figs. 2 and 3. The heightof the side portions i6 and the length of the Vinstep portion H are suchthat the portions of the foot covered by the sock are substantiallycc-extensive with the portions enclosed in the shoe, although,preferably, the edges of the side portions I6 and the instep portion l1are usufliciently inside the shoe that they are not visible.

`In Vaccordance with the invention, the sock is provided with a tab 2i)that `extends upwardly from the heel portion 1 4 with a fold line 2|provided between the heel portion and the tab for folding `the tabdovvnover the outside of the heel portion of the shoe, as illustrated inFig. 2. ils illustrated in the drawings, the `tab 2o is formed of ribknitr fabric whilethe other portions ofthe sock are formedof plain knitfabric. This gives thetab greater weight `or body so that when it isturned Vdown outside the heel portion of the shoe I8, as illustrated inFigs. 2 and 3, it will be lie neatly in place to present an attractiveappearance and to hold the heel portion I4 from slipping down. The lineof transition between the plain knit heel portion I4 and the rib knittab portion 2B provides a natural fold line 2l which facilitates foldingthe tab down and cooperates with the tab in keeping the heel portion I4smooth and in place. The rib knit structure of the tab portion 20provides an inherent stiffness in a longitudinal direction. Thisstiffness, in cooperation with the fold line 2l, holds the tab againstbeing drawn up over the edge of the shoe and down into the inside of theheel portion of the shoe by the tendency of the heel portion of the sockto work down. This tendency is thereby inhibited and the heel portion ofthe sock is kept smooth and free from Wrinkles. a The height of the heelportion I4 is substantially the sameas that of the heel portion of theshoe so that the fold line 2l coincides with the upper edge of the shoe.The tab 20 is of such length that it turns down a substantial distanceover the back of the shoe but does not touch the ground. For example,the length of the tab 26 should be at least one-half the height of theheel portion I4 and not greater than the height of the heel portion.

Asmall portion of the fabric, including adjacent portions of the heelportion Ill and tab 20, is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4. In thisfigure, the courses of the fabric have been designated by the letters ato g while the needle wales have been numbered I to 6. Courses a, b, cand d are rib knit courses with wales I, 2, 5 and 6 in these coursesformed of outwardly facing stitches (as viewed in Fig. 4) and Wales 3and 4 formed of inwardly facing stitches. These courses comprise aportion of the tab 20. It will be understood that, when the tab isfolded down, this portion of the fabric is reversed. Courses, e, f and gare plain knit courses formed wholly of outwardly facing stitches. Thesecourses comprise a part of the heel portion I4. The transition from ribYto plain knit fabric provides a natural fold line between courses d ande. Since the upper edge of the shoe has thickness, the fold in actualpractice is usually distributed over two or more courses. Because of thegreater walewise stiffness and body of the rib knit tab portion 20, thefolding occurs at the junction of the rib knit fabric with the plainfabric and in the adjacent courses of the plain fabric.

The sock in accordance with the present invention may be produced on afull-fashioned knitting machine with toe sutures and a heel structurecharacteristic of full-fashioned hosiery.

Preferably, however, it is produced on a coaxial cylinder circularknitting machine so as to provide a seamless article having both plainknit and rib knit portions. The machine is operated by reciprocationwhile knitting the tab portion 2U, heel portion I4, the rearward portionof the sole I5 together with side portions I6 and the toe pocket I3. Theforward portion of the sole I5 and instep portion I 'I are producedsimultaneously by circular knitting. The sock thus produced hascharacteristic heel gores 22, toe gores 23 and looper line 24. The upperedge 25 of the tab is finished to prevent unraveling, for example bymeans of a suitable Welt. The side edges 26 of the tab 20 and the upperedges 21 of the side portions I6 are selvage edges produced byreciprocation of the circular knitting machine. The edge 28 of theinstep portion Il is also suitably finished, for example by Welting oroverstitching. If overstitching or other edging is used, it may, ifdesired, be extended along part or all of the other edges of the sock.

While the tab portion 20 might, if desired, be formed of 1 x 1 ribfabric, it has been found preferable to use broader rib, such as the 2x2 rib illustrated in Fig. 4. In a further embodiment, illustrated inFig. 5, the tab is formed of 4 x 2 rib fabric. Thus, in courses a, b, cand d (Fig. 5), which represent the lowermost courses of the tab 20,wales l, 2, 'I and 8 are formed of outwardly facing stitches while wales3, 4, 5 and 6 are formed of inwardly facing stitches, it beingunderstood thatthe fabric is reversed when the tab is folded down.Courses e and f are plain knit courses'which are followed by fourcourses, g, h,

e z and i, formed of 1 x 1 rib knitting. Courses lc, l,

' of rib fabric and partly of another.

etc. are plain knit courses of the heel portion I4. The two plain knitcourses e and f provide a fold line between the 4 x 2 rib knit coursesa, b, c, d and the section formed by the four 1 x 1 rib knit courses g,h, i and y. A second fold line is provided at the transition from the 1x 1 rib knit section and the plain knit fabric of the heel portionrepresented by courses lc and l. The provision of two or more fold linesmakes it possible to wear the same sock with shoes having heel portionsof different heights. Moreover, 'it has been f-ound that, by interposingplain knit courses e and f between preceding and following rib knitcourses, a particularly sharp and well defined fold line is provided. i

Fig. 6 illustrates still another fabric structure. Courses a, b, c andd, representing courses of the tab 2i), are formed of 5 X 3 rib fabric.Course e is formed wholly of outwardly facing stitches while the nextcourse, f, is formed wholly o-f inwardly facing stitches. This, in turn,is followed by another course, y, formed wholly of outwardly facingstitches. The back portion of the heel, as represented by courses h, i,y', k and Z, is formed of mock rib fabric. In courses h, i and l, theyarn is knit at every Wale with double length loops in alternate wales2, S, etc. In the intervening courses, i and lc, the yarn is knit onlyat alternate wal-es I, 3, 5, etc., being oated behind the longer loopsof the next preceding courses in wales 2, 4, 6, etc. This mock ribeffect may be continued as far as desired down the back of the heel, theremaining portion of the heel and the rest of the foot portion beingplain knit. Y

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of my invention, in which the rib knittab portion 2U is formed with a Links-Links pattern 3i] by selectivelyknitting inwardly facing stitches and outwardly facing stitches in therespective wales of successive courses. While several species of ribknit fabric have been shown in the drawings, including the Links-Linksfabric of Fig, 7, it will be understood that still other ribcombinations can be used in the tab portion and, moreover, that the tabcan be made partly of one species Moreover, the several features of theembodiments shown and described are mutually interchangeable.

The sock in accordance with the present invention is intended primarilyfor sports or informal wear. It is accordingly of coarser gauge and isknitwith heavier yarn than would be employed for stockings or stockingfeet intended for dress wear. Thus, for example, the fabric of thearticle of footwear in accordance with the present invention shouldpreferably be of the order of 18l gauge and should -be knit of yarncorresponding approximately to one end of #12 wool yarn. If it isdesired to use somewhat lighter yarn in the foot portion of the sock,the yarn of which the tab 20 is knit should be knit of heavier yarn inorder to form a fabric of sufficient weight and body to keep the tabportion neatly in place. In knitting the article, yarn changes may bemade as desired, for example, to use heavier yarn in the tab portionthan in other portions of the sock or to have different portions of thetab knit of different colored yarns to provide a variety of differentcolor effects and patterns. It will be understood that still othermodifications may be made Within the scope of the appended claims.

While the article of the present invention is shown by way of example inconjunction with a closed type shoe, it can, of course, be Worn withopen shoes if desired, providing there is a heel or heel strap overwhich the tab can be turned down.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A knitted article of footwear adapted to be worn inside a shoe havinga heel portion, comprising a toe portion, a heel portion, a sole portionand side portions extending from the toe portion to the heel portion, aninstep portion extending part way from the toe portion to the heelportion, the remainder of the top of the article being open, and a heeltab projecting upwardly from the rear part of the heel portion with afold line between the tab and the heel portion for folding said tab downover the outside of the heel portion of the shoe, said tab being formedof heavier fabric than other portions of the article.

2. A knitted article of footwear adapted to be worn inside a shoe havinga heel portion, comprising a toe portion, a heel portion havingsubstantially the same height as that of the shoe with which the articleis to be worn, a sole portion and side portions extending from the toeportion to the heel portion, an instep portion extending part way fromthe toe portion to the heel portion, the remainder of the top of thearticle being open, and a heel tab projecting up from the rear part ofthe heel portion, with a fold line between the tab and the heel portionfor folding said tab down over the outside of the 6 heel portion of theshoe, said tab being formed of rib knit fabric, while other portions ofthe article are formed of plain knit fabric.

3. An article according to claim 2, in which the tab portion is formedof broad rib fabric.

4. An article according to claim 2, in which the tab portion is formedof Links-Links fabric.

5. A knitted article of footwear adapted to be worn inside a shoe havinga heel portion, comprising a toe portion, a heel portion havingsubstantially the same height as that of the shoe with which the articleis to be worn, a sole portion and side portions extending from the toeportion to the heel portion, an instep portion extending part way fromthe toe portion to the heel portion, the remainder of the top of thearticle being open, and a heel tab projecting upwardly from the heelportion, with a fold line between the tab and the heel portion forfolding the tab down outside the heel portion of the shoe, said tabbeing formed of rib knit fabric and said fold line comprising successivecourses of stitches drawn to opposite sides of the fabric.

6. A knitted article of footwear adapted to be worn inside a shoe havinga heel portion, comprising a toe portion, a heel portion havingsubstantially the same height as that of the shoe, a sole portionextending between the toe portion and the heel portion, the upper partof the article being open, and a heel tab projecting upwardly from theback of the heel portion, with a fold line between the tab and the heelportion for folding the tab down over the outside of the heel portion ofthe shoe, said tab being formed of rib knit fabric, While other portionsof the article are formed of plain knit fabric.

JANE K. HINCHMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,544,934 Prankard July '7, 19251,936,064 Mills Nov. 21, 1933 2,001,293 Wilson May 14, 1935 2,400,692Herbert May 21, 1946

